Urban Landscape/Photo Journalist/Fine Art Photographer
I recently borrowed a 35mm Half Frame camera from a fellow photographer in town. I am in love with it!
Among other things, you’ll find that you’re not the first person who was ever confused and frightened and even sickened by human behavior. You’re by no means alone on that score, you’ll be excited andstimulated to know. Many, many men have been just as troubled morally and spiritually as you are right now. Happily, some of them kept records of their troubles. You’ll learn from them – if you want to. Just as someday, if you have something to offer, someone will learn something from you. It’s a beautiful reciprocal arrangement. And it isn’t education. It’s history. It’s poetry.
The Catcher in the Rye
To start of this blog post, I’ll begin with the alleged ‘exciting stuff’. I wrote an exhibition proposal about a month and a half ago for the Station House Gallery’s 2011/12 season. I was unsure how the idea would be received, but I was satisfied with my efforts and either way, it was a learning curve for me. Anyone who is familiar with writing proposals or grants, knows it’s no walk in the park. I certainly struggled with the format and even borrowed some literature on how to make a proper Artist Statement and CV — not the most interesting stuff in the world, but in this line of work it is VITAL to be able to persuade a Gallery to show your work. You might have some amazing images, but without a convincing proposal, it might not work to your benefit. Needless to say, my confidence is boosted.
Last week, I got an e-mail from the Exhibition Committee informing me that my photo proposal ‘Faces of Industry’ has been selected for the season! I was at a loss for words when I read the e-mail (expecting a Thanks, but no Thanks). ‘Faces of Industry’ is a documentary/portrait series exploring small town industry and the men and women who are involved in these incredibly difficult jobs. I’ll be commencing the project this fall and shooting on medium format and the show will open March 1st here in Williams Lake. I’m excited to have the show and hope to generate this into a book as well, but one day at a time. I’ll also be writing grant proposals like there’s no tomorrow.
New Series – My Personal Void
This past few months, my works has gone from ‘happy-go-lucky’ beautiful scenic and commercial portraiture to a more desolate and barren urban/rural landscape look. It’s a series I’ve been working on, and a very personal one. Leaving Vancouver Island was a tough move, relocating back to Williams Lake was even tougher and this work reflects that. It’s my own photo diary of how I felt making the transition and contemplating my next move in life. This past week, I went to Kamloops, BC and met up with Will Winter , a fantastic Victoria based fine art photographer, who is working on his own series. Together we roamed the Thompson-Nicola Valley region. This part of BC is dry, barren and dead-like. It was a perfect combination of what I was trying to convey in my work and it ended up being the strongest imagery for my series — completely unintended as I had gone to hang out with Will and just have fun. Here’s some of the images I managed to get.
Who are you?
My name is Nicole Brown and I am Children and Family Photographer. I am married to my one true love and mother to two lovely girls (Kennedy 2 and Katie 10 weeks old). I am a lover of life, family, and fun. I would spend my waking hours with a camera in my hand, chasing after children and dogs, running forest trails, playing on the beach with my family, riding my Lambretta, and only spend a fraction of time on housework and editing.
Schooled or self-taught?
I studied at the University of Victoria where I majored in Visual Arts. I spent another two years working as a customer service representative in a professional photo lab, worked as a production assistant in a graphic design firm, assisted several commercial and portrait photographers in Canada and the United States, and worked as an instructor of Photoshop at a community college. I have spent the last 5 years teaching myself how to run a business. I’m still in love with learning- it never ends.
When did you first pick up a camera and the moment you just knew?
People have always fascinated me. I’m a people watcher and I love secrets. I study what people say when they’re not speaking. I love a face that changes over time. I think relationships are intricate and beautiful. Photography was an easy fit from the first time I picked up a camera. I loved photographing my friends and other people by telling their stories. I started in highschool, because my art teacher saved me from being suspended from skipping class. He told the principal that I was working on a photography project. The next day I had a Pentax K-1000 in my hand and I was learning how to process film. I became so in love with the darkroom and spent hours after school printing and every chance I could shooting. I stopped skipping school because I didn’t want to lose darkroom privileges.
What type of photography do you specialize in and why?
I like to photograph people, emotion, love, and tell stories through images. I specialize in Children and Families because that’s where my heart is.
Favorite lens and why?
I love the 70-200 L IS 2.8, because it forces you to think in a totally different way. You have to step back and breathe. To anticipate a moment. It’s my favourite sniper lens.
Who are your influences? And if you had one question to ask them, it would be ….. ?
I love Syke Hardwick, Tamara Lackey, and Sandy Puc. I’d want to know the all important question: How do you create artistic images, run a successful business, stay healthy, and do this while being the best wife and mother you can be. How do you stay balanced?
Ideal gig would be ….
High end styled children’s portraiture.
If there is any advice, whether it be camera or business related, it would be
Shoot from your heart but keep your head in the business.
To see more of Nicole’s work, you can go to: http://www.nicolebrown.ca/
I scanned some 35mm ISO 200 colour film, expired circa 2007 (?) on my Canoscan 4400F — amazing!! After uploading them, I decided to convert a majority of them to black and white and what I got was a beautiful heavy grain look. Take a look-see:
A few weeks back, while browsing the isles of the local Salvation Army, I was lucky enough to find a Polaroid Colorpack II Land Camera. I knew how to test to see if it worked and also noticed that the battery compartment was free of battery acidic corrosion, so I knew I was REALLY lucky. I had ordered some Fujifilm FP-3000b Pro film on eBay, however that order took place in the midst of the Postal strike, so what was supposed to be a one week delivery ended up being more like 3 and for someone who really wanted to shoot some polaroids, it felt like a lifetime. Well, this morning the parcel finally arrived and my first initial thought was ‘Self-Portrait’ — nothing fancy, but more in the spirit of true polaroid — point, shoot and wait about 120 seconds.
Last night we got rained out during our photo session. Today — much better. I had a good time with Evan, whom I’ve known for a few years now. In fact, it was his first band, Loaded Stream that got me into concert photography and eventually led me into weddings, band promos and all that other fun stuff. Evan was in Vancouver for a couple of years playing with The Rebel Spell and then opted to do his own thing because touring was getting to be a little too much at the time. He’s moving to Nelson, BC aka BC Paradise at the end of the month to live the chill life and write music with his girlfriend Katia. Here’s some photos from today’s shoot:
Favorite lens?
Influences would be Bob Preston (Camosun College photo tech), Raymonde April and Marisa Portolese (professors at Concordia University), a few peers (Sara A. Tremblay, Daniela Ansovini, Daniel Barney, Meera Margaret Singh, Celia Perrin Sidarous, Louis Perreault). Big Wigs: Cindy Sherman, Bill Brandt, Jeff Wall. Question: Can I take your picture in a uniquely individual staged setting?
You ideal Gig?
If there is any advice, whether it be camera or business related, it would be ….
Casey 3 Photo 